Minutes of June 3, 2024, Board Meeting - Jamesville-Dewitt Central School District

Members Present

Mrs. Austin
Dr. Archer (attended remotely)
Mr. Babikian (joined the meeting at 8:43 p.m.)
Mr. Baxter
Mrs. Cortese
Mr. Gross
Mrs. James Murad
Mr. Zogbhy
Mr. Mudamagha (Student Board Member)

Members Absent

Mrs. DeForest

Administration Present

Dr. Smith. Superintendent
Mr. Reyes, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Franz, Assistant Superintendent

Administration Absent

Mr. Bartlett, Business Administrator

Others in attendance: Derek Gormel, Josie Dittman, Paloma Arena, Linda Slade, Lauren Ludovico, Brady Kim, Corinne Campbell, Meghana Reddy, Norah Kirch, Caroline Stone and Maddie Sheedy.

Mr. Gross called the meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room of the District Office.

Approve Board Member to Fill Vacant Position

Mrs. Lynn Cortese was introduced as the newest board member who will begin her term immediately. Mrs. Cortese read and signed the oath of office. Mr. Gross welcomed her to the Board.

Presentation: French and Spanish Club

Paloma Arena, Josie Dittman and Brady Kim shared a photo presentation on the recent French and Spanish Club trip to Montreal. The students talked about their experiences on the trip which included visiting the Sugar Shack, taking a Latin American percussion class, visiting the Archaeological Museum of Pointe-a-Calliere, exploring Montreal, Old Montreal, Chinatown and visiting the Biodome. The students also shared their immersive experiences with language and food. Ms. Slade and Ms. Ludovico, who are both Foreign Language teachers and club advisors, facilitated and chaperoned the trip.

Presentation: Mrs. Menapace, Director of PPS

Mrs. Menapace provided an update on current personnel in the PPS Office which includes herself, Ms. Krisa Martin, Asst. Director of PPS, Ms. Karen Koch, CSE Chairperson, Ms. Jill Shute, Administrative Support and Ms. Christie Bixler, Administrative Aide. Mrs. Menapace and Ms. Martin shared the presentation which covered topics of Committee on Preschool Special Education Updates, Committee on Special Education Referral and Evaluation Data, Current Special Education Programming, Non-Public/Parentally Placed Students and the Onondaga County Olympiad.

(See Supplemental Minutes)

Red Ram Recognition

Mr. Gross recognized the religious and ethnic observations in June: Shavuot and Eid al-Adha. In addition, he recognized June as LGBTQ Pride Month and provided background on the recognition. Mr. Gross shared one of the winning poems and artwork from the HaShoha Commemoration Narrative Contest. The poem “My Window” was written by Carson Kim and the artwork “Nothing Can Hold the History” was created by Sion Willis.

Mr. Gross recognized and thanked Ms. Rita Vedsted, Food Services Director, for her persistence in helping the district qualify for free school meals which will begin in September 2024. He said all students will receive free school-based meals for the next four years.

Mr. Gross recognized the Transportation Department who received a 0% out of service rate on their New York State Full and Critical Item Inspections. He said this was the second year in a row that the Transportation received this honor, and he congratulated all involved.

Mr. Gross shared the also recognized and congratulated the following:

- Simran Sanders from the Middle School who was the Syracuse Post Standard Representative for the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
- The following students for earning the New York State Seal of Biliteracy: Shreya Acharya, Amanda Aitken, Amber Bates, Elbethel Berhane, Josephine Dittman, Sasha Fagelman, Asma Hasan, Evelyn Keefe, Paige Kinahan, Rebecca Mendez Siquire, Leah Nemi, Isabelle Vaverchak, and Frank Wang
- The following students for earning the New York State Seal of Triliteracy: Karunmay Aggarwal, Carolina Cuello, Yavuz Damkaci, and Rashelle Torres-Mendoza.
- The following Spring Sports Teams for being named Scholar-Athlete Teams: Girls Golf, Girls Lacrosse, Girls Outdoor Track, Girls Softball, Boys Baseball, Boys Lacrosse, Boys Tennis, Boys Outdoor Track and Unified Basketball
- The following Spring Sports Teams for winning Section III Championships: Girls Outdoor Track, Boys Baseball, Boys Lacrosse and Boys Tennis

(See Supplemental Minutes)

Community Comment Time

There were no comments.

Approve Consent Agenda

Mrs. James Murad moved, and Mrs. Austin seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

- Approve Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations and Substitute Appointments
- Accept April Treasurer’s Report (See Supplemental Minutes)
- Authorize OCM BOCES to provide Equivalent Attendance, Employment Preparation and Adult Continuing Education Program (See Supplemental Minutes)
- Approve Annual Cooperative Bidding Resolution Notification (See Supplemental Minutes)
- Approve Usage of Liability Reserve in the amount of $35,000 to fund Settlement Agreement and Release
- Approve Resolution for Annual Printing Lease (See Supplemental Minutes)

Motion carried. (7-0-0)

Superintendent’s Personnel Recommendations – June 3, 2024

INSTRUCTIONAL

Appointments

Name and position: Lauren Knuth, School Nurse, part-time (.6)

- Location: Middle School
- Salary: $31,468.80 (B5) – prorated
- Certification: Registered Professional Nurse
- Effective: August 30, 2024, through June 30, 2025

Name and position: Carla Ray, School Nurse, part-time (.4)

- Location: High School
- Salary: $21,402.80 (B7) – prorated
- Certification: Registered Professional Nurse
- Effective: August 30, 2024, through June 30, 2025